Seattle – Amazon announced on June 27 its second original kids series, Creative Galaxy, is now available for exclusive unlimited streaming on Prime Instant Video at no additional cost to Prime members. A make-along, create-along art adventure series for children ages three to five, Creative Galaxy comes from Angela Santomero (Super Why!, Daniel Tigers Neighborhood), the creator of the hit show Blue’s Clues. The series features “Arty,” an adorable alien artist, and “Epiphany,” his inspirational side-kick, on their adventures through the Creative Galaxy solving problems through art, music and dance. To give kids and parents the real-life tools they need to recreate Arty’s experience, a live-action piece at the end of each animated episode takes families through the craft project Arty showcased in the galaxy.
Creative Galaxy features vocal talent from Christian Distefano (PAW Patrol) as “Arty,” Kira Gelineau (Dear Viola) as “Epiphany,” and guest stars Samantha Bee (The Daily Show), Jason Jones (The Daily Show), Cloris Leachman (Malcolm In the Middle), Jason Priestley (Beverly Hills 90210) and Brooke Shields (Lipstick Jungle).
“The premiere of Creative Galaxy could not have come soon enough. I’m ecstatic that Prime members now have the opportunity to explore the world of art and creativity with Arty and Epiphany,” said creator Angela Santomero. “Working with Amazon has been an inspiring experience since we both believe children’s programming should support key educational goals by teaching the importance of learning through play.”
“We’re absolutely thrilled to be working with Angela Santomero, one of the most influential and renowned minds in children’s entertainment,” said Tara Sorensen, Head of Kids Programming at Amazon Studios. “With Creative Galaxy, Angela and her team at Out of the Blue have developed a series that encompasses exactly what Amazon strives to achieve with our preschool programming and we can’t wait to hear about the artistic and creative adventures Prime families embark on in their own galaxies at home.”
Creative Galaxy, like all of Amazon’s children’s programmes, is designed to inspire creative thinking through play. To ensure Amazon’s original children’s programming both engages children while supporting educational goals, Amazon kids preschool programmes are developed with the support of Dr. Alice Wilder, one of the world’s foremost experts in educational and child psychology. Dr. Wilder is most well-known for her work as the producer and director of research and development for Blue’s Clues and Blue’s Room.
Starting on June 27, Prime members have unlimited streaming access to the first six episodes of Creative Galaxy, at no additional cost to their membership. Prime members can watch on Amazon Fire TV, Fire phone, Kindle Fire, iPad, iPhone, Roku, Xbox, PlayStation, Wii and Wii U, and other connected devices, online and on Prime Instant Video in the UK. Each episode consists of two 11-minute stories. The remaining six episodes will become available in September. In addition, this December Prime Instant Video will offer a holiday themed bonus episode. Creative Galaxy will also be available in Kindle FreeTime Unlimited, a service built just for kids that gives them the freedom to explore all their favourite books, games, educational apps, movies and TV shows, while providing parents with the tools they need to manage their kids’ screen time. Customers who are not already Prime members can sign up for a free trial.
In addition, Amazon recently collaborated with the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) on a series of screenings and educational activities related to its original kids programming. Creative Galaxy screening events will be held on July 19 at the Bay Area Discovery Museum, Boston Children’s Museum, Brooklyn Children’s Museum, and Children’s Museum of Houston.
Amazon launched its first kids’ series, the 2014 Annecy International Animated Film Festival-award winner Tumble Leaf, just last month. Tumble Leaf is available for unlimited streaming in Prime Instant Video and features a curious blue fox named “Fig” and his best friend “Stick” on playful adventures. Amazon will make a third children’s series, Annedroids, available on Prime Instant Video starting on July 25. Annedroids is a live-action adventure series for children ages four through seven, about a brilliant scientist who just happens to be an 11-year-old girl. Created by JJ Johnson (Dino Dan), the series stars Addison Holley (Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood) and Adrianna Di Liello (Stage Fright).
